More Than Protect You (More Than Words #6.5) - Shayla Black Page 0,2
scumbags are threatening her kid’s life, too. Could you protect them?”
I can’t do it for long since I need to find a steady job. I’m also not sure where I can take them that’s safe. But I’ll figure it out. I can’t let this woman and her kid live in fear. And will they live at all if I don’t intervene? “For a few days. While I’m finding her someone more competent. I’ll teach her a bit of self-defense, too.”
Once I’m gone, it might keep her safe.
“Perfect. Thanks, man. I owe you.”
“No problem. Where is she now?”
“I’m going to give you her half-sister’s address. She’s been staying there, but obviously she can’t anymore. Nia is thirty weeks pregnant and—”
“Say no more. If you can help me figure out a place to hide Amanda, I’ll take it from there.”
“I’ll ask around and see if I can have something worked out shortly. Just get over here as soon as you can. I don’t feel right leaving Amanda and her son alone here with Nia, but my son is with a…friend, so I need to get home.”
My guess? The friend is more than a friend. Who but a lover would be at his place at five a.m.? But Trace having female company hardly surprises me. His older brother, Noah Weston, the former pro quarterback, is well known for scoring on the field. Trace has a reputation for scoring off of it.
He’s put some effort into his sex life. You might try that, dude, before your penis forgets why it exists.
Telling the voice in my head to shut the hell up, I grab my shades, my Glock, and the keys to Joe’s classic red Mustang. He told me if I could fix it, I could drive it while he was gone. A few hours and a few parts later, I had her purring like a kitten.
GPS and Nirvana guide me to an address on the western side of the island. It’s a multi-million dollar house situated right on the ocean. As I pull up, the place is ablaze with lights. I let loose a low whistle. Amanda’s half-sister, whoever she is, lives in paradise.
Out front, I see Trace talking to an attractive brunette. As I step from the car, he waves. “Hey, Tanner.”
“How you doing?” I lock the Mustang, then greet him with a handshake and a shoulder bump.
“Okay. Thanks for coming so early and on such short notice.”
“No problem. I’m not okay with a mob harassing women and children.” I glance at the brunette. “You Amanda?”
“No, I’m Harlow.”
“She’s my brother’s wife,” Trace supplies.
I haven’t met Trace’s famous brother, but his wife’s friendly smile tells me she’s super down-to-earth. “Nice to meet you.” I shake her hand, then turn back to Trace. “Where’s Amanda?”
I need to find her, start asking questions, and figure out my best course of action. As I drove up, a glance told me people trampled the flowers around the perimeter of the house and broke a window out front. I need to get Amanda out of here and stash her someplace both secret and safe.
A beautiful African American woman approaches down the front walkway, dressed in a white silk robe and looking very pregnant. “She’s inside. Her son is cranky since his sleep has been disrupted. She’s trying to get him back down. I’m Nia Cook.”
I shake her hand and introduce myself. “Nice to meet you. Can I go in and talk to her? I’d like to start getting a feel for how I can best help.”
“Sure. She’s at the back of the house, down the hall, first door on the left.”
“Thanks.” I glance over at Trace. “Catch up with you later?”
“Yeah. I’ll figure out a location and call you. Good to see you, man.”
“You, too. We’ll have to go fishing again soon.”
With the niceties exchanged, I head into the big house, cursing under my breath at the broken glass in the living room. As I head down the hall, I hear a fussing child’s voice.
“No!”
“Oliver, calm down, buddy. Everything is fine. Just fine…” a woman soothes.
Quietly, I tread closer, pausing just outside the bedroom. I don’t want to startle her since she and the boy have had an eventful night, but there’s something about her voice… It lures me in. It’s melodic as it caresses my senses. But it’s also steely enough to warn me against mistaking her softness for weakness.
I haven’t even seen this woman, but anticipation flares across my skin. It burns through my veins.